The effect of educators' professional conduct on learners' academic performance in Vuwani Cluster of Vhembe District

Abstract

This study examines the effects of educators’ professional conduct on learners’ academic performance. The researcher used quantitative research methodology and design. Data was collected in eighty primary schools, mostly in a disadvantaged context, in the Vhembe District in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A researcher-designed questionnaire was administered to eighty primary-school principals who were randomly selected. The research revealed that the implementation of the educators’ code of professional ethics may improve the quality of educators. The achievement of high learner academic performance may be determined by the manner in which principals lead, manage and encourage educators to adhere to the tenets of professional conduct. This research also revealed that although educators are aware of professional conduct, they show unprofessional behaviour such as disrespecting learners, leaving class unsupervised, excessive use of mobile phones during lessons, and excessive absenteeism. Learners who lack effective educator support tend to achieve lower results than expected. Learners whose educators behave professionally achieve good academic performance.